HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(3) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
In your speech at the Annual Conventional Debate, you said that the Government "would be prepared to consider a proposal for an indoor stadium whose primary purpose would be for recreation, sports, and youth activities generally and which might involve an expenditure of some $10 million from public funds." As this Council has adopted a motion on this particular subject, would you please state what preliminary work has been done by the Urban Services Department to achieve the purpose of this motion? What steps will the department be taking to implement the motion now that the Government has made its opinion known?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
I believe the motion to which you refer, Sir, is the one which was moved in this Council in December, 1958. The motion recommended to Government the allocation of funds for the construction of an indoor sports stadium in Victoria Park and another in or near the Kowloon Tsai Park which was at that time being planned. It was further resolved to ask the Parks, Playgrounds & Urban Amenities Select Committee to prepare and submit to the appropriate authorities suitable plans and estimates for this purpose.
In speaking to the motion, the Chairman remarked: "I must however sound a word of caution and point out that such buildings on account of the large roof spans are extremely expensive and that members of this Council should not reach decisions too rapidly without taking into account all problems of cost and construction and the relative merits of other recreational projects. There is also the question of land, which could probably be spared in Victoria Park, but which would present greater difficulties in or near Kowloon Tsai Park."
This cautionary note seems to have been justified as it was not until November, 1964 that a Sub-Committee of the Parks, Recreation & Amenities Select Committee was appointed to examine the proposal in detail. By that time, other projects were being considered and the Sub-Committee was charged with considering the feasibility of combining an indoor stadium with the provision of facilities for conventions and conferences as well as for exhibitions and trade fairs.
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The Sub-Committee reported its conclusions in July last year, and the report with some modifications was subsequently adopted by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council in September.
During the Annual Conventional Debate I referred briefly to the main recommendation, which envisaged an ambitious and costly scheme embracing a convention hall and facilities for trade exhibitions in addition to those for indoor sports. At the same time I mentioned that Government was at present unable to agree to a project with an estimated capital cost of $61 million, but that it was prepared to consider a proposal for an indoor stadium which might involve an expenditure of some $10 million.
It will be appreciated that the deliberations which resulted in the Sub-Committee's report involved its Members in highly detailed consideration of the facilities to be provided for indoor sports. The Urban Services Department collected information on indoor stadia from many countries in the world as a guide to recommending facilities considered best suited to meet the needs of Hong Kong.
Members will recall that the report eventually proposed, for the sporting side of the complex, the construction of a large covered air-conditioned arena, providing accommodation for 7,500 spectators, with facilities for a wide variety of indoor sports and other forms of public entertainment. The preliminary planning has therefore been completed, and it remains now to translate these ideas into detailed architectural designs. This can only be done when the project has been accepted into the Public Works Programme. I need scarcely add that to put the scheme into effect is regarded as of high priority in the Urban Services Department, and you are assured, Sir, that no effort will be spared in the department to ensure that the project is realized as soon as possible.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, will you be putting forward again to the Select Committee a detailed proposal on the indoor stadium to fit in with the statement which Government has made, and which would include perhaps more accommodation than was suggested when the Select Committee concerned discussed this matter in private?
CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir, I have no doubt that is eventually what I shall do; but to clarify the position of the department: the department can only do what it has done already, which is to urge that this project now be included in the Public Works Programme as early as possible and be given as high a priority as possible. The effect of our urging
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